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Mozambique: What happened after the Mandimba clashes?
12:44 CAT | 20 Oct 2017
DW / Police Headquarters in Mandimba
The presence of the Rapid Intervention Force (FIR) is not inspiring confidence in the population of Mandimba, in the Mozambican province of Niassa, where four people were recently killed in clashes with the police.
The dust is settling after recent disturbances over police service delivery in Mandimba, rather than bringing tranquillity to the region, the presence of the Rapid Intervention Forces is causing fear among the population, especially at night.
According to DW Africa’s observations, the FIR is failing to inspire confidence among the people who on October 2 revolted against the police, setting fire to the commander’s house. Four people died in the clashes.
A Mandimba resident, who chose to remain anonymous, told DW Africa that circulation could be said to be normal insofar as there was no indication that people could not circulate freely.
“We are going about our business normally, although with certain reservations, because the Rapid Intervention Unit that is here has not patrolled much, but are better known for beating people off with sticks.
“So people would rather not leave the house. This situation is already affecting students and staff, who have to attend classes at night and go to work. In the first week after the incident nobody went to school,” the anonymous Mandimba resident said.
This feeling of an uneasy calm is also shared by Domingos Singoia, another Mandimba resident. “After the clashes, and to calm the population, the authorities appointed another PRM commander, and the chief of operations and all border guards have left their posts. So now the environment is calm and at least there is no upheaval. But you do not see many people in the streets.”
Delicate situation
The police spokesman in Niassa, Alves Mate, says the reshuffle in the border district is aimed at safeguarding the good name of the police there.
“The situation of public order and security in that part of the province remains calm and stable. It is true that we had to take certain measures, and we were obliged in this case to replace the commander and the chief of operations and the border police for their own safety, since their lives were being threatened because the population considered them ineffective.”
The death of an informal money-changer started the population’s revolt against the police, believed to be involved in the crime.
Asked if the police had found the money changer’s assailant, Mate said that efforts were underway to clarify the incident. “And not only this homicide, but other cases that have occurred in that district,” he said.
Police said four people had been arrested on suspicion of being ringleaders of the protest in which four people died and six were seriously injured in clashes between the Mozambican police and the Mandimba population earlier this month.
The victims were hit by stray bullets fired by police allegedly defending themselves from an attack by the population on their premises.
Source: Deutsche Welle
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